England football captain Harry Kane will make a stand against discrimination by wearing an armband for the OneLove campaign during matches.
This year’s global football competition will take place in Qatar, where it is illegal to identify as LGBTQ+.
Kane and captains from several other qualifying nations will wear the armbands during their matches in the region.
Denmark, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, the Netherlands and Wales will all be involved in the initiative.
The armband featured a heart design with multicoloured stripes going across it, and the number one in the middle.
Kane will wear his armband for the first time on 23 September, as the England side faces Italy in the Nations League.
The campaign followed concerns from fans as well as advocate groups about Qatar’s alarming previous stances on human rights.
Homosexuality in Qatar is criminalised.
Those who are found guilty of same-sex relations can result in a lengthy prison sentence.
It is also possible that the death penalty is applied to those who are found to have had same-sex intimacy.
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Kane stated he’s “honoured” to join other national team captains in supporting the “important OneLove campaign.”
He said: “As captains, we may all be competing against each other on the pitch, but we stand together against all forms of discrimination.”
“This is even more relevant at a time when division is common in society.”
“Wearing the armband together on behalf of our teams will send a clear message when the world is watching.”
In March, Kane committed to help “shine light” on the discriminatory issues in Qatar.
“It is part of the responsibility of a team captain,” he said. “It is important to talk about these things and not just hide away from them.”
Queer football fans have been advised to use “common sense” when attending matches by the Football Association (FA).
Despite Qatar’s track record, fans have been reassured by The Football Association of Wales that “everyone is welcome” to what will be “an inclusive World Cup.”
The England captain and Tottenham player had continued to be an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights.
He wore a rainbow captain’s armband to mark the end of Pride month last year.
The Three Lions also stood in “allyship with LGBT+ communities around the world.”
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